Low-voltage remote control system for interior lighting



April 27, 1965 LOW- MASAKI ONARU 3,180,998 VOLTAGE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEMFOR INTERIOR LIGHTING Filed Aug. 16, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 27,1965 MASAKI ONARU 3,180,998

LOW-VOLTAGE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING Filed Aug. 16,1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 1 FIG. 3 F/G. 5

0% y 2/0 539* i 58 223 224 203 x 2 2/7 q 22/4 a: 2/7 2/6 52222 209 April27, 1965 Filed Aug. 16, 1960 MASAKI ONARU W-VOLTAGE REMOTE CONTROLSYSTEM FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent3,180,98 LOW-VOLTAGE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING MasakiOnaru, Tsu-shi, Japan, assignor to Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.,Osaka, Japan, a corporation of apan Filed Aug. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 49,897Claims priority, application Japan, Aug. 19, 1959, 34/46,175; Apr. 16,1960, 35/21,777 Claims. (Cl. 307-38) The electric wiring system forincandescent and fluorescent lightings in commercial and industrialbuildings has recently become highly complicated and also there is anincreasing tendency to employ a power supply voltage of 200 volts ormore for the purpose of enabling effective and efficient operation ofsuch lighting systems. For direct operation at a voltage of the order of100 or 200 volts, the arrangement of circuits is necessarily subject tocertain limitations. Also, use of a power supply whose voltage is ashigh as 200 volts with respect to ground, involves an extraordinarilyhigh degree of danger that the switch operator may be injured. Toovercome such problems, remote control circuits are now in increasinguse which employ a low-voltage supply for operating main lightingcircuits.

There exists a remote control circuitry of this kind having a mainon-off switch means for closing and opening the main circuits whichmeans incorporates therein indicator lamps for indicating the closed oropen state of the main circuits by the on or off state of the indicatorlamps. With such lighting system, however, the number of indicator lampsis inevitably considerable since they are required to be installed onefor each of operating circuits for respective loads. This not only isundesirable from standpoint of maintenance and inspection but the entiresystem is expensive. Meanwhile, remote control circuitry has also beenproposed which employs a single indicator lamp, which, however, servesonly to indicate the position of a selector switch.

The present invention has for its object to provide a low-voltage remotecontrol system of the kind described which employs a single indicatorlamp to indicate the closed or open state of respective loads.

According to the present invention, there is provided a low-voltageremote control system for interior lighting comprising a step-downtransformer, a selector switch having a common terminal connected to oneterminal of the secondary side of said step-down transformer, anindicator lamp having one terminal thereof connected to the commonterminal of said selector switch, a contact plate arranged on theclosing switch side of said selector switch, said indicator lamp havingthe other terminal thereof connected to said contact plate, and a relayincluding a main contact, an auxiliary contact, and a mechanism adaptedto operate said main and auxiliary contacts synchronously, the otherterminal of the secondary side of said step-down transformer beingconnected to said auxiliary contact of the relay.

Further according to a feature of the present invention, there isprovided a selector switch for a remote control circuit of the kinddescribed which comprises on-side and off-side terminals, a rotary disc,an operating plate, and a common contact carried by said operating plateat the bottom thereof, both said rotary disc and operating plate beingcoaxially arranged for rotation, said operating plate being fitted insaid rotary disc for vertical movement relative thereto and adapted tobe operated to rotate said rotary disc step-by-step through an angle asrequired when the operating plate is lifted or depressed thereby toplace said common contact in contact with the on-side or oif-sideterminals of the switch.

According to another feature of the present invention,

.there is provided a relay for a low-voltage remote control system ofthe kind described comprising a casing having a partition, anelectromagnet mounted on the underside of said partition, a plungerhaving an engaging aperture at the upper extremity thereof and fitted insaid electroma net for vertical movement, a stationary contact securedto said casing on one side thereof, a bearing plate secured to thecasing on the other side thereof and carrying opposite spaced lugs, aninverted L-shaped operating lever and a U-shaped movable contact fingerboth pivotally mounted between said opposite lugs for tilting movement,an engaging lug extending from the horizontal leg of said invertedL-shaped operating lever, another engaging lug extending from the freeextremity of said movable contact finger, a semi-circularly curved leafspring having apertures at opposite ends, said engaging lugs extendingthrough said respective apertures in the spring to hold the latter incurved restrained position, the engaging lug of the inverted L-shapedoperating lever also extending through the engaging aperture in saidplunger for connection therebetween, an insulator integrally connectedwith the vertical leg of said inverted L-shaped operating lever, aclearance aperture formed in the horizontal leg of said operating lever,a limiting lug extending from said bearing plate and fitted in saidclearance aperture for limiting engagement therewith, a contact mountedon the underside of said partition, and movable contact fingers disposedon opposite sides of said contact, said insulator being tiltablyarranged so that the free extremity thereof is located for movementbetween said movable contact fingers.

There is also provided according to the present invention a relay for alow-voltage remote control system of the kind described which isoperable by a small electromagnetic attraction and adapted to operatesimultaneously a main contact and an auxiliary contact of the rely.

To enable the invention to be clearly understood, embodiments thereofwill now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a wiring diagram of the low-voltage remote control systemfor interiorplighting according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the selector switch arranged in the circuitshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the selector switch in the circuit shownin FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line AA in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line B--B in FIGURE3;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a rotary disc 'of the switch shown inFIGURES 3 to 5 inclusive;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line CC in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of one of the relays arranged in the circuitshown in FIGURE 1 with its cover plate removed;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the relay shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical cross sectional view of the relay shown inFIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 11 is an exploded perspective view of some parts of the relayshown in FIGURE 8.

Description of the circuit Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, referencenumeral 1 diagrammatically designates a selector switch having a commonterminal 215 disposed centrally thereof and rotary contacting plates 216and 200 mounted coaxially 203-203 fitted in the respective recesses.

204-204 are also fitted in said recesses 202-202 outwith the commonterminal 215 for rotation concentrically plate 216 is arranged to slideover the contact plate 219 when the rotary contacting plate 216 and 200is rotated. Reference numeral 7 designates a pair of contacts promaincircuit while reference numeral 8 designates a pair of contacts providedon rotary contacting plate 200 between the common terminal 215 and thecontact plate 219 for opening the main circuit. Reference numerals 217designate on-side terminals disposed along the arc of rotation of therotary contacting plate 216 in circumferentially spaced relation to eachother, the number of the terminals corresponding to that of loads L inthe main circuit. The terminals 217 are each connected through a closingcontact 11 of the associated one of on-otf switches to the closing coil128 of the associated one of relays R. Reference numerals 218 designateoil-side terminals displate 200 in circumferentially spaced relation toeach other. The terminals 218 correspond in number to said terminals217, each of the terminals 210 being connected nals 217, each of theterminals 218 being connected through the opening contact 14 of theassociated one of the on-otf switches 10 to the opening coil 129 of theassociated one of the relays R. Main and auxiliary contacts 16 and 122of each of the relays R are arranged to operate synchronously in amanner so that, when the main contact 16 is closed, the auxiliarycontact 122 is brought into contact with the opening coil 129 side ofthe relay R whereas, when the main contact 16 is opened, the auxiliarycontact 122 is brought into contact with the closing coil 128 side ofthe relay R. Reference numeral 10 designates a step-down transformer.

Description of the selector switch in the circuit Referring now toFIGURES 3 through 7, reference switch 1 having diametrically oppositerecesses 202-202 opening radially outwardly of the rotary disc withsprings Smooth balls wardly of the respective springs 203-203 so thatsaid smooth balls 204-204 partly extend beyond the periphery of therotary disc 201. Also provided in the rotary disc 201 are recesses205-205 extending at right angles to said recesses 202-202 and openinginto a central bore 206 formed in the rotary disc 201 with springs207-207 fitted inthe recesses 205-205. Smooth balls 200-208 are alsofitted in the recesses 205-205 inwardly of said respective springs207-207 in a manner so that the smooth balls 200-208 partly extendbeyond the inner periphery of the central bore 206. Reference numeral209 designates a casing of the selector switch with a plurality of steps210 formed on theinside wall of the casing .vided on the rotarycontacting plate 216 for closing the 209 in position opposite to theperiphery of the rotary disc 201. It will be understood that,as therotary disc 201 is rotated, the smooth balls 204-204 are shifted oversaid steps 210 in succession. Reference numeral 211 designates anoperating platefitted in the central bore- 206 in the rotary disc 201for vertical movement. The operating plate 211 has oneach side edge arecess 212 and two further recesses 213 and 214 disposed above and belowsaid recess 212, respectively. It will be understood that, as theoperating plate 211 is vertically moved, the smooth balls 208-208 enterthe recesses 212, 213 and 214 in succession. A common terminal 215 ismounted on the operating plate 211 at the bottom thereof. Electricallyconnected to the terminal 215 is a rotary contacting plate 210 so as torotate with the rota- .tion of the operating plate 211. Provided inopposite positions above and below the rotary contacting plate ails200-200 enter the recesses 212-212, the rotary contacting plate 216 isnot keptin contact with both the on-side terminals 217 and off-sideterminals218. This means that both pairs of contacts 7 and 8 as shown inFIG. 1 and described above are opened.

When the operating plate 211 is pulled up and assumes the positionthereof where the smooth balls 200-208.

enter the recesses 210-214 and then rotated-to the position thereofwhere the rotary contacting plate 216 may be contacted'with the desiredon-side terminal 217, the rotary contacting plate 210 is brought intocontact with on-sicle terminal 217. This means that in FIG. 1 the pairof contacts 7 is closed and the rotary contacting plate 210 is broughtinto'contact with the desired on-side terminal'217. I

Similarly, when the operating plate 211 is moved down and'assumes theposition thereof wherethe smooth balls 208-200 enter the recesses213-213 and then rotated to the position thereof Where the rotarycontacting plate 210 may be contacted with the desired oil-side terminalv210, the rotary contacting plate 216 is brought into contact with saidoff-side terminal 210. V This means that in MG. 1 the pair of contacts 8is closed and the rotary contacting plate 210 is brought into contactwith the desired off-side terminal 210. V p V 7 Reference numeral 219designates an auxiliary contact plate for the indicator lamp; 220 acontacting slider plate for same; and 221 an auxiliary plate of therotary con- .tact plate 216. Reference numeral 222 designates a springfitted in an opening 223 formed in the operating plate 211. The spring222 abut-s at the upper end against a top cover 224- of the rotary disc20 1 and at the bottom end against the bottom 225 of the central bore206 of the rotary disc 201.

Referring to FIGURES 8 through 10, reference numeral designates a casingof the relay R having a partition wall 100 to the underside ofwhich issecured an electromagnct 10-3. Fitted in the electrom a-gnet 103 forvertical movement is a plunger 102- having an engaging aperture 101 atthe upper end thereof. A stationary con tact 106 is secured to thecasing 10-5011 one side thereof, while a bearing plate is secured to thecasing on the other side thereof and has spaced lugs 107 extending fromthe bearing plate. An inverted Lela-sped operating lever and a U-shapedmovable contact finger 100 are pivotally mounted between the lugs 107for tilting movement. The operating lever 108 has an engaging lug 1112extending outwardly from the'hor-izontal leg 1110f the operating lever100, and the movable contact tfinger 100 has an engaging lug 11lextending inwardly from the free extremity 113 of the contact finger109. The two engaging lugs 1 12 and 114 are received by and inengagement With apertures 110-110 formed in a semi-circularly curvedleaf spring 115 at the opposite ends thereof. The engaging lug 11-2 ofthe operating lever 10% is also received by the engaging aperture 101formed in the plunger 102 for engaging connection therebetween. Aninsulator 110 is integrally secured to the vertical leg 117 of theoperating lever 108. :Formed'in the horizontal leg 111 of the operatinglever is a clearance aperture 119 for receiving and engaging a limitinglug 120 extending from the bearing plate 110 as shown in FIGURE 11. Theinsulaltor 118 is pivotally mounted so that the free extremity .121thereof is movable between movable contact fingers The electromagnet 103comprises a solenoid 126 and closing and opening coils 128 and 129 inthe solenoid 126 with an insulating partition 127 interposed between thecoils. The plunger 102 fitted in this electromagnet for verticalmovement has an iron core 130 as shown.

Referring further to the drawings, reference numeral 131 designates amovable contact mounted on the free extremity 113 of the movable contactfinger 109. For tiltably mounting the movable contact finger 109 so thatthe movable contact 132 thereon may be brought into contact with thestationary contact 105, a pin 134 is provided which is received inapertures 133 formed in spaced support flanges 132 which in turn areformed at the opposite extremity of the movable contact finger 109 onopposite sides thereof. Reference numerals 135-135 designatepin-receiving apertures formed in the lugs 107- 107 of the bearing plate110; and 136-136 further pinreceiving apertures formed by bent endportions of the horizontal leg 111 of the operating lever 108. Numerals137 and 138 design-ate movable contacts mounted on the free extremity ofthe respective movable contact fingers 124 and 1.25; and numerals 139,140 terminals provided at the root portion of the respective movablecontact fingers 124 and 125. Numeral 141 design-ates a cover plate forthe relay R.

Operation of the circuit Description will now be made of the operationof the circuit control system of the present invention.

The rotary contact plates 216 and 200 of the selector switch 1 arerotated so that the rotary contact plate 216 may be selectively placedin contact with the contact 217 corresponding to a load L as required.The relay R is shown in FIGURE 1 in position with its main contact 16opened and the auxiliary contact 122 in contact with the closing coil128 side of the relay. In this position, when the contacts 7 of theselector switch 1 for closing the main circuits are closed, a circuit iscompleted which contains the secondary coil of the step-down transformer18, the common terminal 215 of the selector switch 1, the rotary contactplate 216, the closing coil 128 of the relay R, and the auxiliarycontact 122 of the relay R. The current which flows through the closingcoil of the relay R acts to close the main contact thereby to switch onthe required load L. Since the auxiliary contact 122 of the relay isadapted to operate synchronously with the main contact 16, the auxiliarycontact 122 is reversed to contact the opening coil 129 side at the sametime when the main contact 16 is closed. At this time, a circuit iscompleted which contains the secondary coil of the step-down transformer18, the common terminal 215 of the selector switch 1, the indicator lamp6, the contact plate 210, the rotary contact plate 200, the opening coil129 of the relay R, and the auxiliary contact 122 of the relay R so thatthe indicator lamp 6 is switched on to indicate that the main circuit isclosed to energize the load L.

Further, when the contacts 8 of the selector switch 1 for opening themain circuit are closed, the indicator lamp 6 is short-'circuited whilecompleting a circuit including the secondary .coil of the st-ep-downtransformer 18, the common terminal 215 of the selector switch 1, therotary contact plate 200, the contact plate 219, the opening coil 129 ofthe relay R, and the auxiliary contact 122 of the relay R so that themain contact 16 of the relay R is opened and at the same time theauxiliary contact 122 is reversed to contact the closing coil 128 sideof the relay R to switch off the indicator lamp 6.

It will be apparent that the operation as described above may also beeffected by the operation of the respective on-otf switches 10.

Effects of the circuit to the selector switch to indicate the open orclosed state of loads in the main circuit by observing said indicatorlamp which is on or off as the case may be, and the necessity to providea plurality of indicator lamps for respective operating circuits forloads in the main circuit is eliminated. Such use of a single indicatorlamp simplifies the circuitry, and which is highly desirable from thestandpoints of maintenance and inspection of such circuitry.

Operation of the selector switch Description will now be made of theoperation of the selector switch with reference to FIGURES 3 through 7.As the operating plate 211 is rotated, the rotary disc 201 is alsorotated simultaneously. The rotation of the rotary disc 201 causes thesmooth balls 204-204 to rotate sliding step-by-step over the steps 210formed on the casing 209 of the switch. As the rotary disc 201 isrotated through a required angle into position to select a desired loadnot shown in these figures, the smooth balls 204-204 enter the steps 210corresponding to the position of the rotary disc 201 to hold the latterin that position.

With the rotary disc 201 brought into the above position, the operatingplate 211 is drawn upwardly to cause the smooth balls 208-208 which havepreviously been in the recesses 212-212 in the operating plate 211 tofit into the recesses 214-214 thereby to hold the operating plate 211 inthe upwardly drawn position. Consequently, the rotary contact plate 216which has previously been located intermediate the on-side terminals 217and the oilside terminals 218 is allowed to contact the on-sideterminals 217 selectively to close the circuit for the desired load. Itwill be understood that, when the operating plate 211 is drawn upwardlyas described above, the spring 222 which is engaged at the top by thetop cover 224 is compressed to urge the operating plate 211 downwardlyto its original position, but the smooth balls 208-208 received in therecesses 204-204 act to hold the operating plate 211 in its upwardlydrawn position.

To open the circuit for any desired load which has previously beenclosed, the operating plate 211 is depressed downwardly now to cause thesmooth balls 208-208 to enter the recesses 214-214 so that the rotarycontact plate 216 is brought into contact with the associated offsideterminal 218 to open the circuit for the desired load. On this occasion,the spring 222 which is engaged at the lower end by the bottom 225 ofthe central bore 206 in the rotary plate 201 is compressed to urge theoperating plate 211 upwardly, but the smooth balls 208-208 which arereceived in the recesses 214-214 act to hold the operating plate 211 inits downwardly depressed position.

Efiects 0f the selector switch unit thereby reducing the space requiredfor installing the entire mechanism while simplifying the wiringtherefor. Thus, according to the present invention, it will beappreciated that a selector switch for a remote control system which isadapted to effect switching on and off of loads simply by an operationincluding drawing up and depressing down an operating plate may beprovided most economically.

Operation of the relays Description will now be made in detail of theoperation of the relays shown in FIGURES 8 to 11.

First, assume that a current flows through the closing coil 128 of theelectromagnet 103 and the plunger 102 is moved downward by theattraction of the electromagnet 103 into position as shown in FIGURE 10.In this case, as the opening coil 129 of the electromagnet 103 isenergized, the plunger 102 is attracted by the opening coil 129 of saidelectromagnet 103, and at the same time the operating lever 108, whichis connected with the engaging aperture 101 in the plunger 102 is forcedupwardly to tilt as a whole around the pin 134 as a fulcrumrthereby to-lift one end of the semi-circular spring 115 with the en-' gaging lugof said operating lever 108 so that the spring acts to swing the movablecontact finger 1% connected with the other end of the semi-circularspring 115 downwardly about the pin 134 as a fulcrum to move the movablecontact 131 away from the stationary contact 1% thereby to open the maincontact 16. The tilting of the operating lever 1118 at the same timecauses the free extremity 121 of the insulator 118 secured to thevertical leg 117 of the operating lever 198 to press against the movablecontact finger 124 to move the movable contact 137 thereon away from thecontact 122 thereby to open'the auxiliary contact (that is, to interruptthe current flowing through the opening coil 129) so that the main 16and auxiliary 122 contacts may be opened simultaneously. Where theclosing coil 128 of the electromagnet 103 is energized, the plunger 1112is moved downward together with the extremity of the operating lever11)? so that the semi-circular spring 105 acts to reverse the movablecontact finger 1119 to place the movable contact 131 in contact with thestationary contact 106 to close the main contact 16 while at the sametime causing the free extremity 121 of the insulator 118 secured to theoperating lever 108 to' press against the movable contact finger 125 tomove the movable contact 138 carried thereon away firom the auxiliarycontact 122'so as to open the latter, thereby interrupt- 7 ing thecurrent flowing through the closing coil 128.

Efiects of the relays As seen from the foregoing, according to thepresent mvention, vertical movement of the plunger 102 is utilized toimpart tilting movement to the operating lever 163 ent invention, themain 16 and auxiliary 122 contacts V are synchronously operated to openso as to prevent constant energization of the electromagnet 1153 therebyto save electric power consumption as far as possible while markedlyincreasing the service life of the relays. In addition, since theoperating lever 1138 is pivotally mounted on the pin 134, the tiltingoperation of the lever is smooth eliminating the need of any substantialforce 7 for effecting vertical movement of the plunger 162. As

a result the electromagnet 1113 may be made not only compact but quickand reliable in operation. A further practical advantage of the relaysis that the main contact part may be made simple in construction,

What is claimed is:

1. A selector switch mechanism for remotely controllin'g'a plurality ofmain circuits respectively containing loads therein; said mechanismcomprising: a plurality of relays respectively for corresponding maincircuits each having a main contact, an on-coil and an otf-coil operableto alternately energize the main contact to close and open the maincircuit, each of said coils including a terminal, a controlling powerline, and an auxiliary contact for connecting one terminal of saidcontrolling power line with a terminal of said ou-coil and saidoff-coil, said main contact and said auxiliary contact being operablesynchronously such that when said main contact is closed said auxiliarycontact is brought into contact with the terminal of said off-coil andwhen the main contact is opened the auxiliary contact is brought intocontact with the terminal of said on-coil, said relay further comprisinga casing having a partition, an electromagnet mounted on the undersideof said partition, a plunger having an engaging aperture at the upperextremity thereof and fitted in said electromagnet for verticalmovement, a stationary contact sec ed to said casing on one sidethereof, a bearing plate secured to the casing on the other side thereofand carrying opposite spaced lugs, an inverted L-shaped operating leverand a U-shaped movable contact finger both pivotally mounted betweensaid opposite lugs for tilting movement, an engaging lug extending fromthe horizontal leg of said inverted L-shaped operating lever, anotherengaging lug extending from the free extremity of said movable contactfinger, a semi-circularly curved leaf spring having apertures atopposite ends, said engaging lugs extending through said respectiveapertures in said spring to hold the latter in strained curved position,said engaging lug of said inverted L-shaped operating lever alsoextending through the engaging aperture in said plunger for connectiontherebetween, an insulator integrally connected with the vertical lug ofsaid inverted L-shaped operating lever, a clearance aperture formed inthe horizontal leg of said operating lever, a limiting lug extendingfrom said bearing plate and fitted in said clearance aperture forlimiting engagement, 'a contact mounted on the underside of saidpartition, and movable contact fingers disposed on opposite sides ofsaid contact, said insulator being tiltably arranged so that the freeextremity thereof is located between said movable contact fingers; and asingle central switch having a contact plate, common terminal connectedto another terminal of said controlling power line, a single indicatorlamp having one terminal thereof connected to the common terminal andanother terminal connected tosaid contact plate, a series of on-sideterminals each connected to a terminal of a corresponding one of saidon-coils, a series of off-side terminals each connected to a terminal ofa corresponding one of said oil-coils, an on-side rotary contactingplate and off-side rotary contacting plate both manually rotatablydiametrically simultaneously operable, a normally open switch in saidon-side contacting plate, a normally open switch in said off-sidecontacting plate, said on-side contacting plate being arranged to shiftcontactingly over said on-side terminals and the common terminal toelectrically connect one of said on-side terminals to'the commonterminal through said normally open switch in the on-side contactingplate, said off-side rotary contacting plate being arranged to shiftcontactingly over said oil-side terminals and said contact plate toelectrically directly connect one of said off-side terminals to saidcommon terminal through said normally open switch in said oil-sidecontacting plate.

2. A selector switch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said centralswitch further'comprising a rotary disc,'an operating plate, and acommon contact carried by said operating plate at the bottom thereof,both said rotary disc and said operating plate being coaxially arrangedfor rotation, said operating platebeing fitted in said rotary disc forvertical movement relative thereto and adapted to be operated to rotatesaid rotary ,disc step by step through an angleas required when theoperating plate is lifted or depressed thereby to place said commoncontact selectively in contact with said on-side and said oil-sideterminals of said switch.

3. A relay means comprising a main contact, an .on-coil and an oil-coiloperable to alternately energize the main contact to close and open themain circuit, each of said coils including a terminal, a controllingpower line, and an auxiliary contact for connecting one terminal of saidcontrolling power line with a terminal of said on-coil and saidoil-coil, said main contact and said auxiliary contact being operablesynchronously such that when said main contact is closed said auxiliarycontact is brought into contact with the terminal of said off-coil andvwhen the main contact is opened the auxiliary contact is brought intocontact with the terminal of said on-coil, said relay further comprisinga casing having a partition, an electromagnet mounted on the undersideof said partition, a plunger having an engaging aperture at the upperextremity thereof and fitted in said electromagnet for verticalmovement, a stationary contact secured to said cas ing on one sidethereof, a bearing plate secured to the casing on the other side thereofand carrying opposite spaced lugs, an inverted L-shaped operating leverand a U-shaped movable contact finger both pivotally mounted betweensaid opposite lugs for tilting movement, an engaging lug extending fromthe horizontal leg of said inverted L-shaped operating lever, anotherengaging lug extending from the free extremity of said movable contactfinger, a semi-circularly curved leaf spring having apertures atopposite ends, said engaging lugs extending through said respectiveapertures in said spring to hold the latter in strained curved position,said engaging lug of said inverted L-shaped operating lever alsoextending through the engaging aperture in said plunger for connectiontherebetween, an insulator integrally connected with the vertical leg ofsaid inverted L-shaped operating lever, a clearance aperture formed inthe horizontal leg of said operating lever, a limiting lug extendingfrom said bearing plate and fitted in said clearance aperture forlimiting engagement, a contact mounted on the underside of saidpartition, and movable contact fingers disposed on opposite sides ofsaid contact, said insulator being tiltably arranged so that the freeextremity thereof is located between said movable contact fingers.

4-. A switch for operation With a plurality of relays each including anon-side coil having a terminal and an oif-side coil having a terminalcomprising, a contact plate, a common terminal connected to a powerline, a single indicator lamp having one terminal thereof connected tothe common terminal and another terminal connected to said contactplate, a series of on-side terminals each connected to a terminal of acorresponding one of said oncoils, a series of oifside terminals eachconnected to a terminal of a corresponding one of said off-coils, anonside rotary contacting plate and off-side rotary contacting plate bothmanually rotatably diametrically simultaneously operable, a normallyopen switch in said on-side contacting plate, a normally open switch insaid off-side contacting plate, said on-side contacting plate beingarranged to shift contactingly over said on-side terminals and thecommon terminal to electrically connect one of said on-side terminals tothe common terminal through said normally open switch in the on -sidecontacting plate, said ofi-side rotary contacting plate being arrangedto shift contactingly over said off-side terminals and said contactplate to electrically directly connect one of said off-side terminals tosaid common terminal through said normally open switch in said off-sidecontacting plate.

5. The switch of claim 4 further comprising a rotary disc, an operatingplate, and a common contact carried by said operating plate at thebottom thereof, both said rotary disc and said operating plate beingcoaxially arranged for rotation, said operating plate being fitted insaid rotary disc for vertical movement relative thereto and adapted tobe operated to rotate said rotary disc step by step through an angle asrequired when the operating plate is lifted or depressed thereby toplace said common contact selectively in contact with said on-side andsaid off-side terminals of said switch.

Reterenees Cited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,237,705 4/41Kohl 20087 2,324,844 7/43 Hutt 3071 14 X 2,326,760 8/43 Clare 200872,576,394 11/51 Frei et al. 2009 2,734,953 2/56 Jenkins et al. 200-42,846,528 8/58 Burrell 200--4 2,897,308 7/59 Fergus 20087 OTHERREFERENCES General Electric Company pamphlet Remote Control WiringSystems, received in Division 26 on February 11, 1952, and directingattention to pages l6, l7 and 18 thereof, and the Square D Companypamphlet entitled Low Voltage Control, received in Division 26 on May 5,1949, to which attention is invited to pages 10-12.

RALPH D. BLAKESLEE, Acting Primary Examiner.

MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, LLOYD MCCOLLUM,

Examiners.

1. A SELECTOR SWITCH MECHANISM FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OFMAIN CIRCUITS RESPECTIVELY CONTAINING LOADS THEREIN; SAID MECHANISMCOMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF RELAYS RESPECTIVELY FOR CORRESPONDING MAINCIRCUITS EACH HAVING A MAIN CONTACT, AN ON-COIL AND AN OFF-COIL OPERABLETO ALTERNATELY ENERGIZE THE MAIN CONTACT TO CLOSE AND OPEN THE MAINCIRCUIT, EACH OF SAID COILS INCLUDING A TERMINAL, A CONTROLLING POWERLINE, AND AN AUXILIARY CONTACT FOR CONNECTING ONE TERMINAL OF SAIDCONTROLLING POWER LINE WITH A TERMINAL OF SAID ON-COIL AND SAIDOFF-COIL, SAID MAIN CONTACT AND SAID AUXILIARY CONTACT BEING OPERABLESYNCHRONOUSLY SUCH THAT WHEN SAID MAIN CONTACT IS CLOSED SAID AUXILIARYCONTACT IS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH THE TERMINAL OF SAID OFF-COIL ANDWHEN THE MAIN CONTACT IS OPENED THE AUXILIARY CONTACT IS BROUGHT INTOCONTACT WITH THE TERMINAL OF SAID ON-COIL, SAID RELAY FURTHER COMPRISINGA CASING HAVING A PARTITION, AN ELECTROMAGNET MOUNTED ON THE UNDERSIDEOF SAID PARTITION, A PLUNGER HAVING AN ENGAGING APERTURE AT THE UPPEREXTREMITY THEREOF AND FITTED IN SAID ELECTROMAGNET FOR VERTICALMOVEMENT, A STATIONARY CONTACT SECURED TO SAID CASING ON ONE SIDETHEREOF, A BEARING PLATE SECURED TO THE CASING ON THE OTHER SIDE THEREOFAND CARRYING OPPOSITE SPACED LUGS, AN INVERTED L-SHAPED OPERATING LEVERAND A U-SHAPED MOVABLE CONTACT FINGER BOTH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEENSAID OPPOSITE LUGS FOR TILTING MOVEMENT, AN ENGAGING LUG EXTENDING FROMTHE HORIZONTAL LEG OF SAID INVERTED L-SHAPED OPERATING LEVER, ANOTHERENGAGING LUG EXTENDING FROM THE FREE EXTREMITY OF SAID MOVABLE CONTACTFINGER, A SEMI-CIRCULARLY CURVED LEAF SPRING HAVING APERTURES ATOPPOSITE ENDS, SAID ENGAGING LUGS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID RESPECTIVEAPERTURES IN SAID SPRING TO HOLD THE LATTER IN STRAINED CURVED POSITION,SAID ENGAGING LUG OF SAID INVERTED L-SHAPED OPERATING LEVER ALSOEXTENDING THROUGH THE ENGAGING APERTURE IN SAID PLUNGER FOR CONNECTIONTHEREBETWEEN, AN INSULATOR INTEGRALLY CONNECTED WITH THE VERTIAL LUG OFSAID INVERTED L-SHAPED OPERATING LEVER, A CLEARANCE APERTURE FORMED INTHE HORIZONTAL LEG OF SAID OPERATING LEVER, A LIMITING LUG EXTENDINGFROM SAID BEARING PLATE AND FITTED IN SAID CLEARANCE APERTURE FORLIMITING ENGAGEMENT, A CONTACT MOUNTED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF SAIDPARTITION, AND MOVABLE CONTACT FINGERS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OFSAID CONTACT, SAID INSULATOR BEING TILTABLY ARRANGED SO THAT THE FREEEXTREMITY THEREOF IS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID MOVABLE CONTACT FINGERS; AND ASINGLE CENTRAL SWITCH HAVING A CONTACT PLATE, COMMON TERMINAL CONNECTEDTO ANOTHER TERMINAL OF SAID CONTROLLING POWER LINE, A SINGLE INDICATORLAMP HAVING ONE TERMINAL THEREOF CONNECTED TO THE COMMON TERMINAL ANDANOTHER TERMINAL CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACT PLATE, A SERIES OF ON-SIDETERMINALS EACH CONNECTED TO A TERMINAL OF A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAIDON-COILS, A SERIES OF OFF-SIDE TERMINALS EACH CONNECTED TO A TERMINAL OFA CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID OFF-COILS, AN ON-SIDE ROTARY CONTACTINGPLATE AND OFF-SIDE ROTARY CONTACTING PLATE BOTH MANUALLY ROTATABLYDIAMETRICALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERABLE, A NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH IN SAIDON-SIDE CONTACTING PLATE, A NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH IN SAID OFF-SIDECONTACTING PLATE, SAID ON-SIDE CONTACTING PLATE BEING ARRANGED TO SHIFTCONTACTINGLY OVER SAID ON-SIDE TERMINALS AND THE COMMON TERMINAL TOELECTRICALLY CONNECT ONE OF SAID ON-SIDE TERMINALS TO THE COMMONTERMINAL THROUGH SAID NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH IN THE ON-SIDE CONTACTINGPLATE, SAID OFF-SIDE ROTARY CONTACTING PLATE BEING ARRANGED TO SHIFTCONTACTINGLY OVER SAID OFF-SIDE TERMINALS AND SAID CONTACT PLATE TOELECTRICALLY DIRECTLY CONNECT ONE OF SAID OFF-SIDE TERMINALS TO SAIDCOMMON TERMINAL THROUGH SAID NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH IN SAID OFF-SIDECONTACT PLATE.